Blackberry Winter

A Novel

"Seattle, 1933. Vera Ray kisses her three-year-old son, Daniel, good night and reluctantly leaves for work. She hates the night shift, but it's the only way she can earn enough to keep destitution at bay. In the morning--even though it's the second of May--a heavy snow is falling. Vera rushes to wake Daniel, but his bed is empty. His teddy bear lies outside in the snow. Seattle, present day. On the second of May, Seattle Herald reporter Claire Aldridge awakens to another late-season snowstorm. Assigned to cover this "blackberry winter" and its predecessor decades earlier, Claire learns of Daniel's unsolved abduction and vows to unearth the truth--only to discover that she and Vera are linked in unexpected ways"-- Provided by publisher.

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I loved this. It was well-written, and kept my interest until the end.

booklady413
Apr 10, 2015

A blackberry winter is a snowstorm well into spring. Claire is assigned to do a story for Seattle Herald where she is a reporter on a storm in May that occurs on the exact day as it did in 1933. She flounders for awhile until she finds the storyline she has been looking for, the mysterious disappearance of a three year old boy during the storm of 1933. The book alternates between present day and 1933, and through this alternation, we learn about Vera and the ties that bind us all. I've read many of Sarah Jio's books, but I think I have enjoyed this one the most.

I was really interested in reading this book because Sarah Jio is a local author who sets her novels in Seattle. And I'm a sucker for a little hometown pride. She gets some historic details, and geographic details, but I was disappointed at the lack of soul. I suppose I was expecting a Sara Addison Allen-esque nod to place as character, and Sara Jio's Seattle is one in which people take taxicabs everywhere and there's no sense of community or connection with the past (which is not the Seattle I'm currently living in).

As the story progressed, I was struck by a few things:
1) The story is a solid mystery, but somewhat predictable (to me, anyway).
2) I didn't much care for any of the characters, as they seemed too one-note to me.
3) This may be because I'm not a mother, so couldn't relate to the central theme of the novel.
4) The writing is fine, and it moves along quickly.
5) This is the kind of book I would read on an airplane to pass the time.

I'm sorry that I wasn't more affected by this novel, but that's not to say it's bad. The writing is solid, the concept is intriguing, and even though I've never even heard the phrase "blackberry winter" (despite getting snow the other week), I appreciate the nod to Seattle's shady past. And the past in general, as there are always unspoken stories in a place that's been around for over 100 years.

I recommend this book for those looking for a relatively quick, light read; those who enjoy novels about loss and coping; those who like novels that bridge contemporary and historical settings; mothers who have lost a child and seek to live that through fiction; fans of chick-lit.

LaughingOne
Feb 27, 2013

The mysteries and secrets totally grabbed me. Chapters were set in either 1933 or modern-day Seattle. The interweaving of the stories caught me at the same time I was thinking this is too much coincidence to feel true. And I like my novels to feel true. Still, I had trouble putting the book down to go to work or to bed.

*** 1/2 stars heartwarming / heartbreaking story that alternates between 1933 and the present - two women each lose a child 70 years apart in time - a blackberry winter in Seattle leads the modern day newspaper writer to research a similar storm in 1933 - amazingly the women are connected, but how?? very readable!!